Sunday, 25 September 2016

Friday & Saturday in County Clare

Friday morning in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland and a free morning before the conference - Diaspora of the Wild Atlantic Way - commences at 1:00 pm. Yesterday on my way to Kilfenora I heard a song on Clare radio - I left my heart in Miltown Malbay - so I thought I must go to this market town 32 km from Ennis. The drive went well, hardly any other traffic just a few tractors close to the village. I found Miltown Malbay quite disappointing, definitely not what I would call a charming village so I went through the village and turned on to a charming side road. Once again my prayers were answered and I didn't come across any traffic except one truck and that occurred when I had room to pull over!

On my way back to Ennis I came across a sign to Clare Abbey and decided on the spur of the moment to go down another small road towards the Abbey. Such a lovely idea as it turned out as there was nobody else there at the time and so peaceful. Clare Abbey was the first, largest and most important Augustinian house in Clare, founded in 1189. It's situated on an elevated site beside the River Fergus and is surrounded by farmland. You can read more about Clare Abbey here.

Part of Clare Abbey, Clarecastle, Co Clare

Back to the Conference Centre, time for a nap and then the conference registration and some talks. Interesting meeting some new people, there a few Australians here for the conference. Then time for the Conference Dinner, I chose soup, poached salmon and apple & rhubarb crumble, all delicious. SaturdayAfter good weather yesterday I was pleased I was not venturing outdoors today as it was raining (just a soft Irish day). The conference started at 10:00 am, very civilised really and opened with our very own Pauleen Cass speaking about From East Clare to Australia, Assisted Migration and Irish Mobility.

Pauleen Cass at the Diaspora of the Wild Atlantic Way Conference.

The rest of the presenters were very interesting and entertaining and well worth attending the conference. Well done the Clare Roots Society.